Cygnus (constellation)
constellation
Cygnus is a constellation in the northern sky. Cygnus means "swan" in Greek.[1] There is a pattern of stars in Cygnus that is called the Northern Cross. This is because the pattern of stars looks like a cross. The constellation Crux (constellation) has a pattern of stars that is called the Southern Cross. The astronomer Ptolemy listed Cygnus in the 2nd century when he made a list of constellations.
Constellation | |
Abbreviation | Cyg |
---|---|
Genitive | Cygni |
Pronunciation | /ˈsɪɡnəs/, genitive /ˈsɪɡnaɪ/ |
Symbolism | swan, The Northern Cross |
Right ascension | 20.62 h |
Declination | +42.03 |
Quadrant | NQ4 |
Area | 804 sq. deg. (16th) |
Main stars | 9 |
Bayer/Flamsteed stars | 84 |
Stars with planets | 57 |
Stars brighter than 3.00m | 4 |
Stars within 10.00 pc (32.62 ly) | 1 |
Brightest star | Deneb (α Cyg) (1.25m) |
Messier objects | 2 |
Meteor showers | October Cygnids Kappa Cygnids |
Bordering constellations | Cepheus Draco Lyra Vulpecula Pegasus Lacerta |
Visible at latitudes between +90° and −40°. Best visible at 21:00 (9 p.m.) during the month of September. |
Deep-sky objects
changeFamous stars
changeReferences
change- ↑ "Cygnus (swan) also (modern) Northern Cross". Harvard. Retrieved 27 January 2013.